In Part Two of this ongoing series, The Exam Room continues its conversation with Dr. Mary O'Connor, orthopedic surgeon and national leader in prevention-focused, value-based musculoskeletal care.

This episode explores why patients are often more influenced by the experiences of other patients than by clinical advice alone — and why emotional readiness, trust, and peer support play a critical role in lasting behavior change. Dr. O'Connor explains how health coaches, community-based programs, and mentorship models help patients overcome barriers that knowledge alone cannot.

We also examine the shortcomings of traditional fee-for-service care, including overutilization of imaging and surgery, and the absence of effective non-surgical, whole-person care. Dr. O'Connor makes the case for an intermediary, non-surgical approach that prioritizes what truly matters to patients — whether that's returning to activity, spending time with family, or simply living without pain.

This episode highlights why engaging patients at an emotional level isn't a "nice to have," but a necessity for better outcomes, lower costs, and a more sustainable health care system.

In today's health care system, medical care often begins after people are already in pain — but research shows that medical treatment accounts for only a small fraction of what actually determines health.

In Part One of this multi-part conversation, The Exam Room welcomes Dr. Mary O'Connor, orthopedic surgeon, former Mayo Clinic and Yale faculty member, and co-founder of innovative health organizations focused on movement, prevention, and equity.

Dr. O'Connor explains why she believes we don't have a "health care system," but rather a sick care system, and why wellness and prevention must move beyond exam rooms and into communities. Together, we explore how individual behavior, social determinants of health, and access to culturally responsive support shape outcomes, particularly for underserved populations.

This episode lays the foundation for understanding why behavior change is so difficult, why traditional care models often fall short, and how community-based approaches can unlock healthier futures, not just for individuals, but for entire families and neighborhoods.

🎙️ This is Part One of a continuing series on prevention, behavior change, and community-driven health.

How do health systems move from adopting digital tools to building strategies that truly last?

In the final episode of this three-part Exam Room Podcast series, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor concludes her conversation with Dr. Ami Bhatt, cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, by focusing on sustainability, access, and the future of patient-centered care.

Dr. Bhatt explains why successful digital health adoption depends on infrastructure, communication, and shared understanding — not just technology. From front-desk staff to clinicians and patients, everyone involved in the care journey must understand how and why new tools are being used. Without clear education and alignment, even the best technology can fail.

The discussion also explores value-based care, federally qualified health centers, and new payment models that make continuous, home-based care more feasible for rural and underserved communities. Dr. Bhatt emphasizes that digital strategies must respect the realities of patients' lives — including transportation barriers, caregiving responsibilities, and work constraints — if they are to improve access and outcomes.

As the episode wraps, the conversation turns toward hope: a new generation of patients who expect partnership, transparency, and agency in their health care. Dr. Bhatt reflects on the power of long-term doctor–patient relationships and how digital tools, when designed thoughtfully, can remove noise and bring humanity back to the center of care.

This episode serves as a hopeful conclusion to the series — pointing toward a future where technology supports connection, empowerment, and better health for all.

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Is technology pulling health care away from human connection — or helping us get back to it?

In Part Two of this three-part series on The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor continues her conversation with Dr. Ami Bhatt, cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology, to explore how digital tools and AI can support truly human-centered care.

Dr. Bhatt reflects on how modern health care has shifted from deeply personal relationships to time-limited, data-heavy encounters — and why neither patients nor clinicians are satisfied with that reality. She explains how thoughtfully designed digital systems can reduce administrative burden, synthesize complex data, and give clinicians the space to reconnect with patients through eye contact, conversation, and empathy.

The episode also dives into the evolving role of AI in health care: from background support that simplifies logistics and documentation, to patient-facing tools that can improve access, engagement, and even help address loneliness. The discussion emphasizes transparency, consent, and choice — allowing patients to decide when they want efficiency and when they want human connection.

Finally, Dr. Bhatt explores how generative AI may help health care move beyond surface-level data toward understanding what patients truly value, enabling more personalized, equitable, and meaningful care experiences.

This episode is a thoughtful exploration of how technology, when used intentionally, can help health care feel human again.

What happens when digital innovation meets human-centered care?

In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with Dr. Ami Bhatt — cardiologist and Chief Innovation Officer at the American College of Cardiology — to explore the evolving role of digital health and what it means for patients and providers alike.

Dr. Bhatt shares her journey from caring for adults with congenital heart disease to becoming an early adopter of telemedicine long before the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated virtual care. Together, they discuss how technology can bring complex care into the communities where patients live, reduce barriers to access, and empower individuals to take ownership of their health.

The conversation also dives into the concept of "prescribing time" — reframing longevity around prevention, heart health, and everyday choices that support a longer, healthier life. From wearables and remote monitoring to patient education and continuous care, this episode highlights why the future of digital health isn't separate from health care — it is health care.

If you're interested in prevention, innovation, patient agency, and the future of cardiovascular care, this episode offers thoughtful insight and practical perspective.

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Telehealth is no longer just a temporary solution—it's a permanent part of modern healthcare. In this episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor sits down with telehealth and workflow expert Christian Milaster to explore how health centers can move beyond "bolted-on" virtual visits and build fully integrated, high-quality telehealth programs.

This wide-ranging conversation breaks down the seven core telehealth workflows—scheduling, onboarding, virtual rooming, the visit itself, follow-up, post-visit communication, and reimbursement—and explains why redesigning each one is critical for long-term success. Christian also shares real-world strategies for training clinicians, improving virtual bedside manner, increasing confidence in virtual physical exams, and creating a seamless patient experience that reduces frustration and builds trust.

You'll also hear why change management is often the biggest barrier to telehealth adoption, how leadership buy-in directly impacts success, and how telehealth plays a growing role in value-based care, chronic disease management, and access for rural and underserved populations.

Whether you're a health center leader, clinician, administrator, or care transformation professional, this episode provides actionable guidance to help you rethink telehealth as a fully integrated care delivery model—not just a pandemic workaround.

Key topics include:

• Telehealth workflow design and integration

• Clinician training and virtual exam confidence

• Patient onboarding and technology readiness

• Reimbursement challenges and value-based care

• Change management and leadership engagement

• Improving access and continuity of care through telehealth

🎧 Tune in to learn how to build telehealth programs that truly work—for both patients and providers.

In Episode 3 of our health literacy series, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary explore what it really takes for healthcare leadership to support clear communication and meaningful behavior change. Dr. O'Leary shares why health systems often struggle to prioritize health literacy, how external experts can help overcome internal barriers, and why written materials—not just verbal explanations—are critical for safety and understanding.

They discuss the realities of behavior change, the importance of starting with what patients want to do, and the need for small, achievable action steps instead of shame-based instruction. The conversation also dives into patient self-advocacy, power dynamics in the exam room, and why everyone deserves a provider they feel comfortable communicating with.

Dr. O'Leary closes with a practical, high-impact recommendation: leaders should walk their own hallways with fresh eyes and evaluate whether their signage and environment genuinely help patients navigate care.

Health literacy is not about reading level, it's about relationships, understanding, and trust.
In this powerful episode of The Exam Room Podcast, Dr. Rhiannon Winsor and Dr. Catina O'Leary, President and CEO of Health Literacy Media, discuss how true health literacy starts with empathy and communication, not handouts or digital platforms.

Dr. O'Leary explains why health literacy is "a state, not a trait," and how every member of a healthcare team, from front desk staff to physicians, plays a role in building connection and understanding. The episode explores tools like teach-back, chunking, and intentional handoffs that help ensure patients leave every visit informed, confident, and cared for.

You'll also hear practical advice on how to make materials more meaningful, reintroduce written takeaways, and use human-centered communication to improve outcomes and trust.

Key Topics:

• Why health literacy is about relationships, not reading levels
• How technology impacts trust and patient satisfaction
• Simple interventions that make communication more effective
• The role of teach-back, chunking, and handoffs in care delivery
• Practical ways to make every visit more human-centered